Going to March Meet for first time this year. Looking for info on tickets, parking, things to see, things to avoid, do you need reserved seats. Any tips to make the event more enjoyable, will be there from Thursday afternoon thru Sunday.
we'll be there too. I've never been to the March meets but the HRR in October was an easy gig to attend---just walked up to the ticket booth for tickets--We didn't really need reserved seats--The Famosa track is kinda out in the middle of nowhere but we did find a great Mexican dinner south of Bakersfield just off of the highway. Seemed to be lots of parking---things to do---hmmm---watch racing, wander the pits---i guess if you really got bored you could go pick almonds---been a few years since iv'e been but had a great time at a cool ole track
I went last year for 1st time ... Are you going to camp on site ? I have some tips that will help a 1st timer I think
make hotel reservations as early as possible. the further you are from the track the better the deals. milt's coffee shop or Zingo's for breakfast. get to the track EARLY on saturday or you'll be sitting on hwy 46 for an hour waiting to get to the gate. unless you like to walk...ALOT...make a reservation on a golf cart ASAP. they go QUICK! bring layers of clothes, sunscreen, lots of water, comfy shoes, a bleacher pad, camera, ear plugs, the swap meet is usually pretty good so bring extra cash.
Yep, rent a golf cart .. I was told the pit side was 100 acres of asphalt and its not nice, smooth asphalt to walk on Get something to set on in the stands. or your back and butt will hate you The crowd will overhelm you, Saturday / Sunday is a zoo and I've been to big events ..The corn dog line took 40 minutes at least Limited rest rooms, mostly porta pots and they are overwhelmed as well Famosa is not close to anything.. expect it to be Dirty and have a certain smell in the air There are some cars there that will make you think of the good ol days but sadly , lots of Camaros .. We might go again this year, I'll be better prepared this time
Wont be camping on site. Allready have motel reserved @ the Best Western by Buck Owens place, $62 a night.
Save your money until October and go to the California Hot Rod Reunion instead. The March Meet is barely worth the drive from my place and it's only 100 miles away.
We have been going for a while now. aside from the smell it is a great time for sure. we will be racing c-gas with a 72 vega. the show and shine is usually pretty cool as is the swap meet. tons of vendors and overall goodtimes. we will be staying in the pits drinking mucho cervesas!
Basicly saving a lot of money as this is being "combined" with a business trip to Las Vegas so part of the cost is being paid by employer. What is the "smell" that keeps being mentioned? I know the HRR is a bigger deal as far as numbers, but the March Meet has history.
The one next door to the Palace? We stayed there in October for the CHRR....They do Karaoke nightly Oh, and the free breakfast is well worth eating at the hotel too, it'll set ya up for the day with maybe just a snack at the track, then you can catch dinner back in town in the evening. Lots of good places to eat in Bako. Make sure to check out the FREE LIVE MUSIC on Thursday night at the Crystal palace, and check out the collection of memorabilia in there.
The smell??? C'mon, let us in on it. After I had the heart attack, I put the March Meet on my "Bucket List". What's the smell you guys are talkin' about?
I've been many, many times...smell? What the heck are you talking about. Burning rubber and nitro??? Cold beer???
What the hell are you talking about? Smell from what? Do you mean the essence of nitro & rubber, or agricultural?
i live close and do the one day thing. i always seem to leave sun burnt and slightly hung over. bring lots of water and sun screen....or a big hat. also bring your camera.
I know that stuff stinks, but it makes me think of Famoso. Which makes me think of Nitro. Which is a good thing, IMO. But if you bring the average chick, you'll hear about the smell and the flies for a LONG TIME. Word to the wise...
I live in Bako - Zingo's on Buck Owens Blvd is great food! The hotel next to Crystal Palace (Buck Owens Bar) is the Best Western. March Meets are awesome. I took my son (8 years) last year and we had a great time. We even got free tickets from some in the parking lot! See you all there!
On the East Side of the track or the side that camping is ( not Pit Side ) there is were they mix compost with manure from the feed lot. So if you get a breeze from the east it does get stinky.
The March meet is a great time. Going to Bakersfield for the nostalgia drags is worht every penny and every minute. I've gone now since 1992 and still can't wait for the next time. I don't mind walking around. Get some good shoe cushions. By all means, you are at an advantage if you drive your older car. this gets you in up close. Bring a cooler full of whatever you like and all your supplies ( sunglasses, sunscreen, blankets, jacket, etc, etc) all in your car. If you drive out a late model, you have to park outside and hike a bunch. I've always gone with vintage iron. not racing this year but, will be parked in the show area. I cannot wait!!! Steve <DIR>Hosting 11th annual Pontiac Heaven, show, swap, drags, party and all around good time. Saturday April 4, 2009 at Speedworld near Phoenix, Az more info- www.pontiacheaven.org Also hosting- 7th annual Nostalgic Show and Go! and swap. Drags, cool car show, parade, special exhibitions, gassers, rails, stockers, customs and much more. coming Sunday April 5, 2009 to Speedworld. Phoenix, Az -This is Arizonas longest continuest running nostalgic event, our 7th year! www.nostalgicshowandgo.org </DIR>
It's cool. Sometimes literally. If "size does matter" then the March Meet matters most. Been going there since 1978 when we won Funny Car (Denny Savage driving the Powers Steel Funny Car). John Powers III will probably be there with his nostaliga funnies, crew chief Dan Geare sadly passed away, I was doing PR and I'm not sure if Denny will be there or not. Believe he's still driving his nine and half second '66 Nova on 11" DOT tires. MARCH MEET SURVIVAL: If you don't have a golf cart, bring a bicycle. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and bring atomic-bomb-level sunscreen. You'll still get burned but you won't age 10 years in a weekend. Swap Meet is not huge but well scoured. What with the sick economy, you may find some great bargains (if you know what you're looking for and you come early). Jamming with other buyers may turn you on to stuff you want that they have but didn't bring. If nothing else, you'll meet some nice people. The show has been rained out in the past. Probably not this year but an umbrella and/or a poncho should be in your luggage. A jacket for the early morning walk-around is a must. Hot coffee lines are large. Bring a thermos full of your favorite blend. GETTING THERE: Take 99, get off on 65, drive till you get to Famoso Rd (sign is there if it hasn't been stolen), turn left and drive until you get to the track. Try it once and you'll be glad you did. SEE YOU THERE! Ernest McIntyre, editor GASSER Magazine www.GASSERmagazine.com
I'll be driving this Nova in C/gas (9.60 index). Stop by in the pits for a cold one if you like. Also, Molcasalsa at 2617 Buck Owens Blvd in Bakersfield has the best Mexican food on the planet. I always make a point to stop there on the way up. Cheers, Bill
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